Almquist, Echo-Hawk, and Belgarde publish report on American Indian and Alaska Native homelessness in King County
Posted: 2026-10-07 15:00:08 (CSDE Research)
CSDE Affiliate Zack Almquist (Professor, Sociology), Abigail Echo-Hawk (Director, Urban Indian Health Institute), and Derrick Belgarde (CEO, Chief Seattle Club) have just published a policy report analyzing unsheltered American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) homelessness in King County, Washington. Co-led by the Urban Indian Health Institute, Chief Seattle Club, and the University of Washington, the report reanalyzes the biennial UW/KCRHA King County Point-in-Time (PIT) survey of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, conducted using respondent-driven sampling, across the 2022 to 2026 survey years. It finds that the federal single-race reporting standard records only about 6 percent of the unsheltered population as AI/AN, whereas an inclusive count, that is, alone or in combination with another race and with tribal affiliation credited, raises that share to about 16 percent in 2026, an undercount of roughly 2.6-fold. The report recommends adopting and reporting the inclusive AI/AN measure and improving PIT methodology and services through ongoing partnership with Native-led organizations. The full report can be found here. Congratulations Dr. Almquist and team!
Date: 10/07/2026